Augmented reality and virtual reality in education: A systematic narrative review on benefits, challenges, and applications

Abstract

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) have attracted increasing interest in the field of education, largely because of their potential to create immersive and stimulating learning environments. These technologies appear to offer alternative approaches to traditional instruction, enabling interaction between teachers and learners in virtual spaces. Several studies have suggested that AR and VR tools can increase student engagement across a range of subjects and provide meaningful support in classroom settings. This systematic narrative review investigates the benefits, challenges, and application domains of AR and VR in education by analyzing studies published over the past ten years. The literature was gathered from six major academic databases: Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, ERIC, IEEE Xplore, and the ACM Digital Library. Following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses 2020 guidelines, 53 relevant articles were identified and analyzed. The findings indicated mostly positive outcomes tied to the adoption of AR and VR in education, especially in improving learning. Simultaneously, several recurring challenges have been reported, posing barriers to widespread implementation. The review concludes by highlighting areas where further research is necessary to integrate these technologies into educational practices more effectively.